Kathleen,
I find that interesting with regards to reading. I know people who literally hate to read and I'm never without my iPad with all of my books. I have 4 nephews from the age of 7 (twins), 11, and 22 they all love to read. We all read to them as they were growing up for that is what my mother did we me and my siblings. So the "right" environment may need to start at home as a foundation and then the child/adult will have that base to go from. Natural learning I think stems from curiosity you know lke the kid who always ask why all the time, tinker with stuff, etc. Anytime you "force" someone the outcome is not good and it creates a negative experience, hence leading into a negative space.